Just saw the Soledad O'Brien interview Wal-mart where she gave them great gushing kudos for their emergency relief effort, especially in Jefferson Parish. She clearly was suggesting that Wal-mart, with Sheriff Lee, were able to do what the government could not do -- which in this case is without a doubt true. The problem is by the end of the segment, I had the definite sense that this type of story could be a gameboard of the GOP counter-punch.
By highlighting Wal-mart, who are in great need of a face-lift, she was able to showcase this pathetic corporation as the "efficient" local model of response to this disaster, as opposed to the bureacratic government. It was sleezy free advertisement for the "American way" of solving problems. Sad and maddening. There are so many good non-profits working like heroes, without an agenda. The message: federal government beatened by Wal-mart's swiftness and efficiency.
The issue is incompetence. A govenment that does not believe in government, will bungle governance, whether the services to be delivered are private or public. The real issue is accountability and responsibility. Private contractors, as well modeled in Iraq, are not accoutable, are not efficient, and most importantly not effective. All this Administration cares about are the profits made off of everyone of our disasters. It is pure economic benefits for all their friends, including Wal-mart. CNN this was wrong.